Project Growler wins the 2019 Jotun Restoration Competition

Jotun Yachting UK is pleased to announce the restoration of Sailing Barge Growler as the winner of its 2019 Restoration Competition. Jotun Yachting will provide all the coatings required to carefully bring this rare and historic Thames Barge back to seaworthy condition.

The restoration was a particularly worthy winner, as alongside being a vessel of considerable historic standing, it is also being restored by students Ash Faire-Ring aged 17 and Ben Danziger aged 16. The opportunity to support two young sailors in developing their technical skills and pushing personal boundaries through the restoration fit well with the culture and ethos within Jotun. At a time when the yacht industry needs to encourage a new generation to participate, we hope that Ash and Ben provide inspiration to many other young people.

Growler was built in 1922 on Conyer Creek. She is a 34ft traditional Thames Barge and one of the last of her kind. Following a working career, she had a brief leisure sailing life before being retired to a barn in Dedham. Through family connections, Ash was able to meet the previous owner, who kindly donated Growler to him as a restoration project.

With great business acumen, Ash and Ben set up a marketing campaign to spread word of the restoration and crowd fund £2000 to pay for initial project costs. The vessel has been transported to a field in Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk where the project will begin in earnest when Ash finishes his last A-Level in June.

Tonje Hvalvik, of Jotun Yachting UK Marketing, says: “We had many interesting and worthy restoration projects entered into our competition this year, but Project Growler stood out as the winner. It was great to recently meet Ash and see his drive and enthusiasm for the restoration.

“To help bring his vision to life and get Growler back on the water is exciting and the whole Jotun team look forward to assisting with and seeing the project progress over the next year.”

Ash Faire-Ring – Project Growler says: “We are hugely excited to be working with Jotun on the restoration of Growler and look forward to using the full product range to return Growler to her original condition.”

The restoration can now be followed via the Project Growler YouTube Channel or Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Pages. They have also created a website growler.org.uk to share updates on progress. Jotun Yachting will also be closely following progress and publishing updates via social media.